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Introduction: Food and Beverage Download PDF

The food and beverages industry is all companies involved in processing raw food materials, packaging, and distributing them. This includes fresh, prepared foods as well as packaged foods, and alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Any product meant for human consumption, aside from pharmaceuticals, passes through this industry.

Main Sectors

The food and beverage industry is composed of companies involved in processing raw food materials and manufacturing, packaging, or distributing food or drinks; essentially the steps in food production that come after harvest and before retail purchase. In the food industry, the dairy sector is the largest, followed by baked and cereal items, and chilled foods. The beverage segment is composed of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. For alcoholic beverages, beer, cider, and other flavored alcoholic beverages make up the bulk of the market, followed by wine and spirits. In the nonalcoholic segment, soft drinks far outsell coffee, tea, juice, water, and other products. The food and beverages industry is considered a mature industry; it is very competitive and relies strongly on advertising to promote brand names.